soccer soccer soccer

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Then contrast it with Canada, who seem to get a squad that is greater than the sum of their parts, like we used to pre-2016. So we've lost our collective spirit and aren't getting peak performances out of a combination of players that we know is better than they've shown.

 

The funny thing about this is basically all of the difference between the two is in the 2 head to head matchups(both of which the US had the upper hand but couldn't finish). Outside H2H, Canada is on 21 points and +12 GD (16/4), and the US is on 20 points with +11 GD (15/4). Admittedly that probably changes in the final window given the opponents, but that doesn't change the disconnect in results v. perception to date.

[stitchface]

I think this is a reality of international soccer - these players get very little time to train together, come from different systems, and, for Europeans, are traveling a long way to play (jetlag is real). This all tilts toward more balance, especially in the Americas.

 

I imagine most of you play, or have played, and understand how difficult it can be to play with people you don't know. Add it up, and it starts to come down to individuals making plays more than a team game. Canada is a prototype of a few great players and a bunch of others working really hard.

 

One has to wonder if all the rotations are problematic - forced or chosen by Berhalter. Also, whether his system is too complicated for international play.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think this is a reality of international soccer - these players get very little time to train together, come from different systems, and, for Europeans, are traveling a long way to play (jetlag is real). This all tilts toward more balance, especially in the Americas.

 

I imagine most of you play, or have played, and understand how difficult it can be to play with people you don't know. Add it up, and it starts to come down to individuals making plays more than a team game. Canada is a prototype of a few great players and a bunch of others working really hard.

 

One has to wonder if all the rotations are problematic - forced or chosen by Berhalter. Also, whether his system is too complicated for international play.

 

I think you've got this pegged. International soccer makes it tough to build cohesion(remember: Canada had a bunch of extra games as a group because they didn't auto-qualify for the ocho), especially with a group as young as ours that can't lean on past experience. The compressed schedule makes it even harder because you have to do some rotation or pay the price. Also Berhalter demands a certain amount of precision for that system, and since it's pretty risk-averse/defense-first the consequences are greater and he's more hesitant to break in new players during these crucial games.

 

I do think Berhalter's approach will ultimately be vindicated and already has to a degree. He's won 2 of 3 tournaments(with the loss being understandable/forgivable for several reasons) and I think the above approach has been proven by others to be the effective, if frustrating, way to maximize international success(see: France, Portugal, etc) when you have a talent edge and when you're the underdog. But the reality of Canada's rise means that the margins are more fine than they've ever been, so they'll need to take care of business at home one last time. And for all the hand-wringing online about the US's lack of success in Mexico and CR, Panama is 0-3 with -8 GD (0 scored) in qualifiers on US soil since 2000.

[wolf stansson]

There is also enough info and insight out there to know that Herdman's approach and philosophy is much simpler and oriented around the press and transition attack, while Berhalter is trying to implement a complex tactical style based on detailed positioning. It's easy as a fan to point at the results and have strong feelings about which approach is more appropriate for the international game based on time together, our talent level, and inconsistent player availability and form.

[UMFan83]

As unlikely as it is, this is the scenario that clinches the WC spot for US tonight right?

 

-USA beat Mexico

-Panama lose to Honduras

-Costa Rica lose to Canada

 

And then USA can clinch top 4 with either scenario:

 

-USA wins

-Either Panama loses or Costa Rica loses (or either draws gives US a virtual clinch since the US goal differential would be a minimum of +9 over both)

 

-USA draws

-Costa Rica loses*

 

* again not official but the US would be a minimum of +9 in GD

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As unlikely as it is, this is the scenario that clinches the WC spot for US tonight right?

 

-USA beat Mexico

-Panama lose to Honduras

-Costa Rica lose to Canada

 

And then USA can clinch top 4 with either scenario:

 

-USA wins

-Either Panama loses or Costa Rica loses (or either draws gives US a virtual clinch since the US goal differential would be a minimum of +9 over both)

 

-USA draws

-Costa Rica loses*

 

* again not official but the US would be a minimum of +9 in GD

 

If we win and Panama loses, Canada only needs a draw to guarantee qualification for the US, we'd be 7 clear of both Panama and CR in that instance.

 

We clinch top 4 with a win and a CR draw/loss or a Panama loss. Your third scenario is right.

[wolf stansson]

 

 

 

LFG

[UMFan83]

And North Macedonia is about to knock Italy out of the World Cup. Unreal

 

You know what sucks more than going 8 years between World Cups? Going 12 years between World Cups

[wolf stansson]

Jorginho, one of the best and most experienced players in the world, got caught being Italian and it cost them the goal. He left his man to spaghetti hands at the ref.

[soccer10k]

And North Macedonia is about to knock Italy out of the World Cup. Unreal

 

You know what sucks more than going 8 years between World Cups? Going 12 years between World Cups

 

And the last two World Cups they did qualify for they had 1 total win in 6 games.

 

Also, the dream of both Italy and Portugal missing the 2022 World Cup is alive!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

For those of you interested in shooting the moon, this ESPNFC editor says if one of Mexico or the US win out, they get the last Pot 1 spot if Portugal lose or win in penalties against North Macedonia:

[stitchface]

And North Macedonia is about to knock Italy out of the World Cup. Unreal

 

You know what sucks more than going 8 years between World Cups? Going 12 years between World Cups

 

And the last two World Cups they did qualify for they had 1 total win in 6 games.

 

Also, the dream of both Italy and Portugal missing the 2022 World Cup is alive!

 

you'd rather watch north macedonia?

 

Anyway, in between they won euros. Wonder if that's happened before. Same as US . . .

[wolf stansson]

 

Very reasonable lineup

[Transmogrified Tiger]

get a lead, bring on Sands for Adams and Arriola/Morris for Pulisic to defend in a 5 back, profit

[soccer10k]

And North Macedonia is about to knock Italy out of the World Cup. Unreal

 

You know what sucks more than going 8 years between World Cups? Going 12 years between World Cups

 

And the last two World Cups they did qualify for they had 1 total win in 6 games.

 

Also, the dream of both Italy and Portugal missing the 2022 World Cup is alive!

 

you'd rather watch north macedonia?

 

Anyway, in between they won euros. Wonder if that's happened before. Same as US . . .

 

Than Portugal? Yes. Never liked them much and glad there’s a chance both them and Italy miss out.

[wolf stansson]

My paramount + keeps glitching. This better not f me

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Jamaica and El Salvador draw, which officially eliminates both.

 

Panama with a first half goal on Honduras, so probably no unexpected help coming there.

[UMFan83]

My paramount + keeps glitching. This better not f me

 

Same. I’m already getting angry. Or the anger is carried over from Michigan losing, one of the two

[Transmogrified Tiger]

My paramount + keeps glitching. This better not f me

 

Same. I’m already getting angry. Or the anger is carried over from Michigan losing, one of the two

 

FYI the game is also on Univision and CBS Sports Network if you have access to either of those.

[UMFan83]

My paramount + keeps glitching. This better not f me

 

Same. I’m already getting angry. Or the anger is carried over from Michigan losing, one of the two

 

FYI the game is also on Univision and CBS Sports Network if you have access to either of those.

 

Oh for real? I forgot that occasionally they don’t make you watch their crappy streaming network

[soccer10k]

My paramount + keeps glitching. This better not f me

 

Trying to stream through CBS Sports Network and it’s awful too.

 

Won’t go a minute without getting the spinning circle.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

that's a yellow huh

[Transmogrified Tiger]

that's a yellow huh

 

Weah sandwiched in the same spot after touching past the last of the defense, nothing, sigh

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Honduras equalizer!

[Rex Buckingham]

Yedlin yellow and Cannon having COVID means no eligible RB on the roster for Panama... great planning Gregggggg